Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Shopping Without A Shopping List



Are you still going shopping in supermarkets with your shopping list just like a middle-aged housewife? Are you concerned about degeneration of memory even though you are still in your early twenties? Do not worry; I will show you a simple technique to memorize as many as 30 to 40 items and their sequence within a short period of time — less than 5 minutes.

This marvelous technique created by the ancient Greeks is called number tags. The idea is to link each number to a memorable image with a vaguely similar shape to the number. For example, you can conjure up a picture of a gull flying in the blue sky when you come across the number 3. To make it clearer, I will show you my own images. These images are original, and you may come up with your own images.
After you have created your own number tags set, you can apply them to remember things. Now, let’s assume the tenth item on your shopping list is a bag of potato. Then form a picture in your mind that a soldier is cutting potatoes into pieces. The concept behind this is to combine number-related images into a little scenario — the more absurd and surreal, the better. Another tip I would like to share with you is that you should stick to a set of images constantly. If you vary them, it is likely that you will confuse yourself.

Aha, you must have mastered the magic power of number tags. Why not have a try then? Try to remember the following shopping list with the technique of number tags.

26 Feb
1.potatoes
2.cheese
3.orange
4.a loaf of bread
5.coffee
6.buns
7.shampoo
8.hanger
9.tooth brush
10.battery

One hundred percent correct? Amazing? Here are more.
If you are supposed to handle more items at one time, you can apply the technique of alphabet tags. The concept behind is virtually the same. To show you an example, please check my alphabet tags set.
Now, you have become the master of memory. What are you waiting for? Just go shopping without a shopping list!

2 comments:

  1. Oops!~~Very useful and interesting!
    By creating our own little magic memory systems, we can surely enjoy remembering those dry things efficiently and add simple joy to everyday life.
    By the way, your drawings are really cute^^, and you are absolutely an early bird...

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  2. Have you used this for your own shopping list? I've learnt about number tags and sometimes use them. Most of the time, my shopping list is too long and I do not have the mental space to create a creative shopping list.

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